This invention relates to improvements in fire collars. This invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to locator plates for cast-in fire collars and whereby reference will be made to same.

Fire collars are typically used for preventing fire spreading from one side of a wall or floor to the other side via a penetration through which pipes, ducts or other service carriers pass .

Possibly one of the more important uses of fire collars is with conduits, particularly pipes and ducts, which are formed from plastics materials, such as PVC and HDPE, but they are also used with rubber based materials, deformable metals and various composite materials. Most cast-in fire collars include a housing in which there is formed a passage through which a conduit may extend and a layer of intumescent material located within said passage and, when in use, between the conduit and the housing. Some fire collars also include actuation means capable of movement between a non- operating mode proximal, or attached, to the layer of intumescent material to an operating mode whereby at least a portion of the layer of intumescent material and/or the actuation means at least partially obstructs the passage and the conduit .

The housing typically includes a base, that is adapted to rest on formwork, in which there is formed a first opening and an opposing free end portion in which there is formed a second opening, that is substantially circular in shape, said base and said free end portion being spaced apart and connected by an intermediate side wall, such that said first and said second openings are coaxial and said side wall defines the passage connecting said first and second openings.

The base typically includes an outwardly directed peripheral flange, and mounting means associated with said flange for securing the base to the formwork, such as a plurality of mounting tabs or anchor points that are connected to the peripheral flange by a frangible connection, said tabs or anchor points being generally equally spaced around the periphery of the flange, and whereby said tabs or anchor points each include a mounting aperture formed therein through which a shank may extend of a nail that is used to secure the tab or anchor point to the formwork.

In some embodiments the side wall of the housing defines the second opening and whereby in use a cap may be provided so as to selectively close said second opening and thereby prevent concrete spilling into the passageway and interfering with the actuation means.

Alternatively, the free end portion may include an inwardly directed annular flange that defines the second opening and a lip or guide that is connected to, and which extends away from, the inner edge of said annular flange.

Some fire collars are also provided with a removable plug, or pipe guide, that is adapted to close the first opening and thereby in use inhibit concrete entering the passage via the first opening and possibly interfering with the actuation means. The pipe guide typically includes a base that is substantially flat and a centrally located mounting portion that is spaced above the pipe guide's base, said mounting portion having a centrally located mounting aperture through which a fixing may pass for securing the pipe guide to the formwork.

The pipe guide is secured to the base of the housing by the frictional engagement of the base with the periphery of the pipe guide .

The pipe guide may also include locating means for supporting a conduit in the passage such that the conduit and the first and second openings are coaxial, such as a plurality of arcuate protrusions that extend upwardly from the base and which are arranged in a staggered arrangement in adjacent lanes such that they may support an end portion of a conduit that is located therebetween, said mounting aperture and said lanes being concentric.

Often the preferred position of the conduit will be marked on the formwork by two intersecting orthogonal lines and whereby the point at which the lines intersect shall coincide with the preferred location of the axis of the conduit. Users are required to position the fire collar at the preferred position.

Unfortunately, often it is difficult to accurately locate the point of intersection of the lines drawn on the formwork with the axis of the passage of the fire collar and whereby as a consequence a conduit supported by the fire collar, and subsequently cast in the concrete, may not line up with other conduits to which it must be connected. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved pipe guide and/or locator plate for a fire collar which will alleviate some of the deficiencies of the prior art and which will be reliable and efficient in use. With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention relates to a locator plate for a fire collar of the type having a housing that includes a base in which there is formed a first opening, and a second opening formed in said housing that is spaced from said first opening by an intermediate side wall, and whereby the first and the second openings are coaxial and are connected by a passage that is located between the first and second openings, said locator plate being adapted to selectively close the first opening, said locator plate including:

a base having a predetermined peripheral boundary, a predetermined point of reference that is contained within said peripheral boundary;

positioning means for positioning the first opening of the fire collar in a preferred position relative to said locator plate such that said point of reference and the first opening are coaxial;

a first alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said first alignment means being aligned with said point of reference;

a second alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said second alignment means being aligned with said point of reference, whereby an imaginary first line connecting said first alignment means to said point of reference is substantially orthogonal to an imaginary second line connecting said second alignment means to said point of reference ;

whereby in use said base may be placed on formwork on which there is drawn two intersecting orthogonal lines, such that a portion of one line is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two lines intersect and said point of reference are coaxial. The first and second alignment means may include alignment means, such as a notch, protrusion or marking, associated with the peripheral boundary. The base may also include a window formed in said base that is adapted to cooperate with the first and second alignment means so that in use said base may be placed on formwork on which there is drawn two intersecting orthogonal lines, such that a portion of each line can be seen through said window and whereby one of said lines is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two lines intersect and said point of reference are coaxial. For example, the window may include one or more discrete window portions.

Preferably the locator plate includes mounting means for securing the locator plate to formwork, such as one or more mounting apertures. For example, the point of reference may be the centre of an aperture formed in the base and wherein a shank of a fastener that is used to secure the locator plate to formwork may, in use, may extend therethrough.

In another aspect, this invention relates to a locator plate for a fire collar of the type having a housing that includes a base in which there is formed a first opening, and a second opening formed in said housing that is spaced from said first opening by an intermediate side wall, and whereby the first and the second openings are coaxial, said locator plate being adapted to selectively close the first opening, said locator plate including:

a base,

an aperture formed in said base; positioning means for positioning the first opening of the fire collar in a preferred position relative to said locator plate such that said aperture and the first opening are coaxial; a first alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said first alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture;

a second alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said second alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture, whereby an imaginary first line connecting said first alignment means to the centre of said aperture is substantially orthogonal to an imaginary second line connecting said second alignment means to said centre of said aperture, and whereby in use said base may be placed on formwork on which there is drawn two intersecting orthogonal lines, such that one of the lines is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two lines intersect and the centre of said aperture are coaxial. In another aspect, this invention relates to a locator plate for a fire collar of the type having a housing that includes a base in which there is formed a first opening, and a second opening formed in said housing that is spaced from said first opening by an intermediate side wall, and whereby the first and the second openings are coaxial and are connected by a passage that is located between the first and second openings, said locator plate being adapted to selectively close the first opening, said locator plate including:

a base,

an aperture formed in said base;

positioning means for positioning the first opening of the fire collar in a preferred position relative to said locator plate such that said aperture and the first opening are coaxial; a first alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said first alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture;

a second alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said second alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture, whereby an imaginary first line connecting said first alignment means to the centre of said aperture is substantially orthogonal to an imaginary second line connecting said second alignment means to said centre of said aperture;

a window formed in said base, said window having a first window portion that is located adjacent said first alignment means and a second window portion that is located adjacent said second alignment means, whereby in use said base may be placed on formwork on which there is drawn two intersecting orthogonal lines, such that a portion of each line can be seen through a respective window portion and whereby one of said lines is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two lines intersect and the centre of said aperture are coaxial .

The first and second alignment means may include a mark, protrusion, notch or such like that is applied to, extends upwardly from, or is formed in the base, such as a peripheral edge portion of the base.

Preferably both the first and second alignment means each include opposing alignment portions with the aperture located therebetween, such as marks, protrusions or notches associated with opposing portions of the base.

Preferably the first and second alignment means and the first and second window portions all lie in the same plane. Further, it is preferred that the portion of the base in which the first and second window portions are formed abuts against the form work so as to reduce any parallax errors that may occur when aligning the first and second alignment means with the respective lines drawn on the formwork.

The alignment means preferably resembles a line and whereby the line may be may painted on the base; a groove formed in the base; a rib that extends upwardly from the base, or a slit or slot in the base.

The line may extend from at least one portion of the adjacent window portion in the general direction towards or away from the centre of the aperture. However, preferably the window portion is located between opposing portions of the line.

The aperture may be of a suitable size that it may be used as a mounting aperture through which a suitable fastener that is used to secure the locator plate to the formwork may extend. For example, in use, a shank of a nail may extend through the aperture .

The positioning means may include one or more markings located on the base of the locator plate which show where the base of the fire collar should be positioned thereon.

Alternatively, the positioning means may be adapted to engage the fire collar. For example, the positioning means may include a continuous cylindrical wall, or a plurality of ribs, extending upwardly from the base and having at least one face that shall abut against an internal face of the passage in the fire collar adjacent the first opening. Preferably the peripheral shape of the locator plate and the shape of the first opening formed in the housing are complimentary. Preferably the locator plate and the passage adjacent the first opening in the housing form a close fit.

Further, the locator plate may include engagement means for maintaining the locator plate in engagement with an internal face or faces of the passage. For example, the engagement means may include one or more mechanical fasteners. Alternatively, the engagement means may include a plurality of ribs that protrude outwardly from one or more faces that define the periphery of the locator plate.

Preferably the locator plate also includes locating means for locating a conduit on said locator plate such that the axis of the conduit and the centre of the aperture are coaxial. For example, the locating means may include a continuous cylindrical wall having a face that shall abut against either an internal or external curved face of the conduit. Alternatively, the locating means may include a plurality of arcuate protrusions that extend upwardly from the base and which are arranged in a staggered arrangement in adjacent concentric lanes such that they may support an end portion of a conduit that is located therebetween .

The locator plate may also include mounting means, or additional mounting means, for securing the locator plate to formwork, such as a plurality of mounting apertures formed in the locator plate. For example, these mounting apertures may be formed in the protrusions that extend upwardly from the base that form part of the locating means.

Preferably in use, the point of intersection in the centre of the aperture is used to nail or secure the locator plate to the formwork. The housing can then be placed over the locator plate such that the locator plate is received snugly within the first opening, and whereby the housing may then be secured to the formwork by nails extending through mounting apertures or mounting tabs associated therewith.

In another aspect, this invention relates to a locator plate for a fire collar of the type having a housing that includes a base in which there is formed a first opening, and a second opening formed in said housing that is spaced from said first opening by an intermediate side wall, and whereby the first and the second openings are coaxial and are connected by a passage that is located between the first and second openings, said locator plate being adapted to selectively close the first opening, said locator plate including:

a base,

a predetermined point of reference on said base;

positioning means for positioning the first opening of the fire collar in a preferred position relative to said locator plate such that said point of reference and the first opening are coaxial;

a first alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said first alignment means being aligned with said point of reference;

a second alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said second alignment means being aligned with said point of reference, whereby an imaginary first line connecting said first alignment means to said point of reference is substantially orthogonal to an imaginary second line connecting said second alignment means to said point of reference ;

a window formed in said base, said window having a first window portion that is located adjacent said first alignment means and a second window portion that is located adjacent said second alignment means, whereby in use said base may be placed on formwork on which there is drawn two intersecting orthogonal lines, such that a portion of each line can be seen through a respective window portion and whereby one of said lines is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two lines intersect and said point of reference are coaxial . Preferably the locator plate includes mounting means for securing the locator plate to formwork. For example, the mounting means may include one or more mounting apertures through which a shank of a fastener may extend. In another aspect, this invention relates to a fire collar including :

a housing having a base;

a first opening formed in said base;

a second opening that is spaced from said first opening by one or more walls of said housing, said first and said second openings being coaxial and connected by a passage;

actuation means capable of movement between a non-operating mode proximal to said passage to an operating mode whereby at least a portion of said actuation means at least partially obstructs said passage, and

a locator plate that is locatable within the first opening, said locator plate having:

a base;

an aperture formed in said base;

positioning means for positioning the first opening of the housing in a preferred position relative to said locator plate such that said aperture and the first opening are coaxial; a first alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said first alignment means being aligned with the centre of said mounting aperture;

a second alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said second alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture, whereby an imaginary first line connecting said first alignment means to the centre of said aperture is substantially orthogonal to an imaginary second line connecting said second alignment means to said centre of said aperture, and whereby in use the base of the locator plate may be placed on formwork on which there is drawn two intersecting orthogonal lines, such that one of the lines is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two drawn lines intersect and the centre of said aperture are coaxial .

Preferably the base of the locator plate and the first opening are complimentary. Further, it is preferred and the locator plate and the first opening form a snug fit. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments mechanical fasteners may be used to temporarily retain the locator plate in a preferred position relative to the first opening. The locator plate may also include mounting means, or additional mounting means, for securing the locator plate to formwork, such as a plurality of mounting apertures formed in the locator plate. For example, these mounting apertures may be formed in protrusions that extend upwardly from the base that form part of locating means for locating a conduit within the passage.

The fire collar may further include a layer of intumescent material contained within the passage and whereby upon actuation of the actuation means at least a portion of the intumescent material will block the passage.

In still yet another aspect, this invention relates to a fire collar including:

a housing having a base that is adapted to rest on formwork; a first opening formed in said base;

a second opening that is spaced from said first opening by one or more walls of said housing, said first and said second openings being coaxial and connected by a passage;

actuation means capable of movement between a non-operating mode proximal to said passage to an operating mode whereby at least a portion of said actuation means at least partially obstructs said passage, and

a locator plate that is locatable within said first opening, said locator plate having:

a base;

an aperture formed in said base;

positioning means for positioning the first opening of the housing in a preferred position relative to said locator plate such that said aperture and the first opening are coaxial;

a first alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said first alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture;

a second alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said second alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture, whereby an imaginary first line connecting said first alignment means to the centre of said aperture is substantially orthogonal to an imaginary second line connecting said second alignment means to said centre of said aperture ;

a window formed in said base, said window having a first window portion that is located adjacent said first alignment means and a second window portion that is located adjacent said second alignment means, whereby in use said base may be placed on formwork on which there is drawn two intersecting orthogonal lines, such that a portion of each line can be seen through a respective window portion and whereby one of said lines is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two lines intersect and the centre of said aperture are coaxial . Preferably the base of the locator plate and the first opening are complimentary. Further, it is preferred and the locator plate and the first opening form a snug fit. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments mechanical fasteners may be used to temporarily retain the locator plate in a preferred position relative to the first opening.

The locator plate may also include mounting means, or additional mounting means, for securing the locator plate to formwork, such as a plurality of mounting apertures formed in the locator plate. For example, these mounting apertures may be formed in protrusions that extend upwardly from the base that form part of locating means for locating a conduit in the passage.

The fire collar may further include a layer of intumescent material contained within the passage and whereby upon actuation of the actuation means at least a portion of the intumescent material will block the passage.

In still yet another aspect, this invention relates to a method of positioning a fire collar on formwork in a predetermined location identified on the formwork by two substantially straight, intersecting, orthogonal, lines displayed on the formwork, said method including:

providing a fire collar of the type that includes: a housing having a base;

a first opening formed in said base;

a second opening that is spaced from said first opening by one or more walls of said housing, said first and said second openings being coaxial and connected by a passage;

actuation means capable of movement between a non-operating mode proximal to said passage to an operating mode whereby at least a portion of said actuation means at least partially obstructs said passage;

providing a locator plate of the type having:

a base,

a predetermined point of reference on said base;

positioning means for positioning the first opening of the fire collar in a preferred position relative to said locator plate such that said point of reference and the first opening are coaxial;

a first alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said first alignment means being aligned with said point of reference;

a second alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said second alignment means being aligned with said point of reference, whereby an imaginary first line connecting said first alignment means to said point of reference is substantially orthogonal to an imaginary second line connecting said second alignment means to said point of reference ;

a window formed in said base, said window having a first window portion that is located adjacent said first alignment means and a second window portion that is located adjacent said second alignment means, whereby in use said base may be placed on formwork on which there is drawn two intersecting orthogonal lines, such that a portion of each line can be seen through a respective window portion and whereby one of said lines is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two lines intersect and said point of reference are coaxial . In still yet another aspect, this invention relates to a method of positioning a fire collar on formwork in a predetermined location identified on the formwork by two substantially straight, intersecting, orthogonal, lines displayed on the formwork, said method including:

providing a fire collar of the type that includes:

a housing having a base;

a first opening formed in said base;

a second opening that is spaced from said first opening by one or more walls of said housing, said first and said second openings being coaxial and connected by a passage;

actuation means capable of movement between a non-operating mode proximal to said passage to an operating mode whereby at least a portion of said actuation means at least partially obstructs said passage;

providing a locator plate of the type having:

a base;

an aperture formed in said base;

positioning means for positioning the first opening of the housing in a preferred position relative to said locator plate such that said aperture and the first opening are coaxial;

a first alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said first alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture;

a second alignment means marked on, applied to, or formed in said base, said second alignment means being aligned with the centre of said aperture, whereby an imaginary first line connecting said first alignment means to the centre of said aperture is substantially orthogonal to an imaginary second line connecting said second alignment means to said centre of said aperture, and

mounting means, including at least one mounting aperture; placing said base of said locator plate on the formwork such that one of the lines is aligned with said first alignment means while the other line is aligned with said second alignment means, and whereby the point at which the two lines intersect and the centre of said aperture are coaxial;

using a fastener that extends through said mounting aperture to secure said locator plate to the formwork;

using the positioning means of the locator plate to position said fire collar over said locator plate such that said passage and said aperture are coaxial. Preferably the fire collar is then secured to the formwork using a plurality of fasteners.

In order that this invention may be more easily understood and put into practical affect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a locator plate constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the locator plate shown in figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the locator plate shown in figure i;

Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the locator plate shown in figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of another locator plate constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the locator plate shown in figure 2; Fig. 7 is a side view of the locator plate shown in figure 2 , and

Fig. 8 is a pictorial view of the locator plate shown in figure 2.

Figures 1 to 4 show a locator plate 10 for use in conjunction with a fire collar of the type having a housing that includes a base in which there is formed a first opening, and which further includes a second opening that is spaced from the first opening by one or more side walls of the housing that define a passage connecting the first and second openings. The fire collar also includes a layer of intumescent material that is stored within the passage. The fire collar may also include one or more actuation means that are capable of movement between a non- operating mode proximal to said layer of intumescent material to an operating mode whereby at least a portion of said layer of intumescent material and/or the actuation means at least partially obstructs the passage. Individual actuation means may be contained within respective internal cavities formed in the side wall or walls of the housing with each cavity having an opening formed in the base.

The locator plate 10 is made from any suitable material, such as a plastics material, and includes a base 11, that is substantially planar and generally circular in shape. However, it will be appreciated that the shape of the base is dependent upon the shape of the first opening in the fire collar and the type of fire collar. For example, in other embodiments the shape of the base may resemble a square or a rectangle.

The base 11 includes four equally spaced arms 12 that extend outwardly from a peripheral edge 13 of the base. However, in other embodiments the base may include three equally spaced arms, while in other embodiments the base may not include any arms .

Each arm 12 includes opposing flanges 14 that extend upwardly from the base. The flanges 14 have a generally smooth internal face 15 and an opposing external face 16 that includes a recess 17 formed therein.

Each flange 14 is connected to an adjacent flange 14 of an adjacent arm 12 by an arcuate peripheral flange 18 that extends upwardly from the peripheral edge 13 of the base 11. Each arcuate flange 18 includes a generally smooth external face 19 and an internal face 20 that includes a plurality of ribs 21 that extend outwardly therefrom. Selected ribs 21a may be used as first alignment means while selected ribs 21b may be used as second alignment means.

The base 11 includes a substantially circular inner or central mounting portion 25 having a substantially planar bottom face 26 and an opposing top face 27. Further, the mounting portion 25 includes a centrally located mounting aperture 28 having a longitudinal axis 29 that is orthogonal to planes containing the bottom face 26 and top face 27. The mounting portion 25 also includes a window 30 that surrounds the mounting aperture 28, and wherein the window 30 comprises four equally spaced window portions 31 that extend generally outwardly from the mounting aperture 28 and which are connected to the mounting aperture by intermediate portion 32.

The mounting portion 25 also includes first alignment means 35 that includes two aligned ribs 36 that extend upwardly from the top face 27 and wherein the mounting aperture 28 is located midway between said ribs 36. Each rib 36 includes a first or inner rib portion 37 and an outer rib portion 38 and wherein the two rib portions are separated by a window portion 31 located therebetween . The first alignment means also includes two opposing grooves 39 that are aligned with ribs 36 and wherein the grooves 39 are each formed in a top face of a respective arm 12. Each groove 39 terminates at, or close to, a free or outer edge 22 of the arm 12

The mounting portion 25 also includes second alignment means 40 that includes two aligned ribs 41 that extend upwardly from the top face 27 and wherein the mounting aperture 28 is located midway between said ribs 41. Each rib 41 includes a first or inner rib portion 42 and an outer rib portion 43 and wherein the two rib portions are separated by a window portion 31 located therebetween. Further, the ribs 36 and the ribs 41 are substantially orthogonal. The second alignment means also includes two opposing grooves 44 that are aligned with ribs 41 and wherein the grooves 44 are each formed in a top face of a respective arm 12. Each groove 44 terminates at, or close to, a free or outer edge 22 of the arm 12.

The mounting portion 25 also includes four additional ribs 44a that extend upwardly from the top face 27. Each rib 44 is aligned with the axis of 29 of the mounting aperture 28 and is located midway between two adjacent window sections 31.

The base 11 also includes an intermediate mounting portion 50 that is located between the inner or central mounting portion 25 and an outer raised portion 51. The intermediate raised portion 50 resembles an inverted continuous channel, and includes a top face 52 that is spaced above the top face 27 of the central mounting portion 25 by inner and outer continuous side walls 53 and 54 respectively. The intermediate mounting portion 50 also includes a plurality of mounting apertures 55 formed in the top wall 52.

The outer raised portion 51, like the intermediate mounting portion, resembles an inverted continuous channel, and includes a top face 56 that is spaced above the top face 27 of the central mounting portion 25 by inner and outer continuous side walls 57 and 58 respectively.

The base 11 is adapted to engage a complementary shaped first opening of a fire collar and whereby the base, when secured to formwork, may be used to maintain the fire collar in a preferred location while concrete is poured around the fire collar and provide support for a conduit that extends through the passage.

Figures 5 to 8 show a second alternative locator plate 110 for use in conjunction with a fire collar of the type having a housing that includes a base in which there is formed a first opening, and which further includes a second opening that is spaced from the first opening by one or more side walls of the housing that define a passage connecting the first and second openings. The fire collar also includes a layer of intumescent material that is stored within the passage. The fire collar may also include one or more actuation means that are capable of movement between a non-operating mode proximal to said layer of intumescent material to an operating mode whereby at least a portion of said layer of intumescent material and/or the actuation means at least partially obstructs the passage. Individual actuation means may be contained within respective internal cavities formed in the side wall or walls of the housing and each having an opening formed in the base. The locator plate 110 includes a base 111 that is substantially planar and generally circular in shape. The base 111 includes three equally spaced arms 112 that extend outwardly from a peripheral edge 113 of the base. However, in other embodiments the base may include four equally spaced arms, while in other embodiments the base may not include any arms.

Each arm 112 includes opposing flanges 114 that extend upwardly from the base. The flanges 114 have a generally smooth internal face 115 and an opposing external face 116 that includes a recess 117 formed therefrom.

Each flange 114 is connected to an adjacent flange 114 of an adjacent arm 112 by an arcuate peripheral flange 118 that extends upwardly from the peripheral edge 113 of the base 111. Each arcuate flange 118 includes a generally smooth external face 119 and an internal face 120 that includes a plurality of ribs 121 that extend outwardly therefrom and can also in some circumstances be used as alignment means.

The base 111 includes a substantially circular inner or central mounting portion 125 having a substantially planar bottom face 126 and an opposing top face 127. Further, the mounting portion 125 includes a centrally located mounting aperture 128 having a longitudinal axis 129 that is orthogonal to planes containing the bottom face 126 and top face 127.

The mounting portion 125 also includes a window 130 that surrounds the mounting aperture 128, and wherein the window 130 comprises four equispaced window portions 131 that extend generally outwardly from the mounting aperture 128 and which are connected to the mounting aperture by intermediate portion 132. Each window portion 131 includes a slit like opening 131a The mounting portion 125 also includes first alignment means 135 that includes two aligned ribs 136 that extend upwardly from the top face 127 and wherein the mounting aperture 128 is located midway between said ribs 136. Each rib 136 is aligned with a respective slit 131a located on opposite sides of a window portion 131 located therebetween.

The mounting portion 125 also includes second alignment means 140 that includes two aligned ribs 141 that extend upwardly from the top face 127 and wherein the mounting aperture 128 is located midway between said ribs 141. Each rib 141 is aligned with a respective slit 131a located on opposite sides of a window portion 131 located therebetween.

The base 111 also includes an inner raised portion 151 located between the central mounting portion 125 and a second mounting portion 150. The second mounting portion 150 resembles an inverted continuous channel, and includes a bevelled top face 152 that is spaced above the top face 127 of the central mounting portion 125 by inner and outer continuous side walls 153 and 154 respectively. The second mounting portion 150 also includes a plurality of mounting apertures 155 formed in the top wall 152. The inner raised portion 151, like the second mounting portion, resembles an inverted continuous channel, and includes a bevelled top face 156 that is spaced above the top face 127 of the central mounting portion 125 by inner and outer continuous side walls 157 and 158 respectively.

The inner raised portion 151 is further separated from the central by a step 170 having a substantially flat top face 171 and a continuous side wall 172. The base 111 is adapted to engage a complementary shaped first opening of a fire collar and whereby the base, when secured to formwork, may be used to maintain the fire collar in a preferred location while concrete is poured around the fire collar and provide support for a conduit that extends through the passage.

In use, the intersection of two orthogonal lines drawn on formwork to be used to support a concrete wall, such as a floor or ceiling, during its construction is used to indicate the predetermined location of the longitudinal axis of a conduit within the intended wall as well as the location of a fire collar to be cast in the concrete, said fire collar to be used in the event of a fire to close the conduit and prevent the fire spreading from one side of the wall to the other side of the wall through penetration.

In order to secure the fire collar temporarily to the formwork, the locator plate 10 is first placed on the formwork with the top wall 27 facing up, or uppermost, such that portions of the two orthogonal lines can be seen through the four window portions 31. The locator plate 10 is then moved relative to the formwork until the first orthogonal line is aligned with the two ribs 36 and the second orthogonal line is aligned with the two ribs 41, at which point the longitudinal axis 29 of the mounting aperture 28 is aligned with the point of intersection of the two orthogonal lines.

A nail or a faster having a threaded free end portion which extends through the mounting aperture 28 so as to engage the formwork is then used to secure the locator plate to the formwork. Alternatively, or in addition to this single fastener, one or more nails or threaded fasteners extending through respective mounting apertures 55 may be used to further secure the locator plate 10 to the formwork. The housing of the fire collar is then placed over the locator plate 10 such that the locator plate fits snugly within the first opening and is retained in this position by clips having a free end portion that are adapted to engage a respective one of the recesses 17.

The base of the fire collar may include an outwardly directed flange having a plurality of mounting tabs frangibly connected thereto and whereby the mounting tabs are also secured to the formwork using suitable nails or threaded fasteners.

A free end portion of a conduit may in turn be placed within the passage and retained therein by the frictional location of the conduit's side wall against opposing continuous side walls 53 and 57.

After the concrete is poured, it is anticipated that some concrete may seep under the locator plate and become trapped within the confines of the inverted channels of the intermediate mounting portion 50 and the outer raised portion 51.

The second locator plate 110, like the locator plate 10, may be used to locate a fire collar in a preferred position on supporting formwork and wherein a free end portion of a conduit may be placed within the passage of the fire collar and retained therein by the frictional location of the conduit's side wall against opposing continuous side walls 153, 157 and 172. Alternatively, the end portion of the conduit may rest on the top face 171 of the step 170 and wherein a side wall of the conduit shall bear against the side wall 157. Alternatively the end portion of the conduit may rest on the top face 127 of the central mounting portion 127 and wherein a side wall of the conduit shall bear against the side wall 172 of the step 170.

It will be appreciated that the invention will enable users to more accurately position a conduit within a concrete wall, such as a floor or ceiling.

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing description has been given by way of example of the invention, all other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to a person skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as hereinbefore defined in the appended claims.